I am a sixth-form student at Bourne Academy and I have just completed work experience in the parish office at St Norbert’s Catholic Church, Spalding.
During that time, I was introduced to Project Saint Thomas.
How many people have heard about Project Saint Thomas I wonder? I had, but I didn’t know what really happened behind the doors – and after spending a week in the parish office, I still don’t know everything.
What I do know is that the initiative cannot be labelled as a food bank, a community hub or a financial support centre.
It does all these things and more – it is a multi-faceted project that considers every struggle, catering for residents at every level and ensuring all needs are accounted for.
I was amazed by the amount of good work that goes on within the former Methodist church, adjacent to the Catholic church.
The community that has been created surrounding the project is incredibly charming in a way that I haven’t seen before.
I am a naturally shy person and I was nervous when I first went through the doors. However, very quickly that nervousness was put at ease by the sheer positivity that radiated from the people present.
I visited the project on June 17 and my first experience with the project was Tom’s Kitchen.
I met a few volunteers who were more than happy to have a conversation.
The food was great, I chose sausage and chips.
When I asked the volunteers why it is they chose to volunteer, one of them said that he wants to give back to the community and the other explained that he is working here because of Tracey, who manages the project.
Both were proud of the free food ticket scheme, where customers can donate their change towards a meal for someone in need.
There was a lively atmosphere that didn’t fade once during my visit.
Another volunteer eagerly joined the conversation.
He said he has been helped a lot by the project and he wants to help out as much as he can.
He spoke of his past and said he was totally lost at some point but said everything slotted into place once he began working at Tom’s Kitchen.
He said: ‘I look forward to it every week, it’s a nice place to be; especially helping others – and I am helped too.’
I had found this volunteer’s story incredibly inspiring.
It was my conversation with him that really conveyed to me the true essence of the project.
The project is a multi-layered support system where those who need support can volunteer to help. They then help with supporting other people whilst receiving a place to belong as part of a community. Having the opportunity to do something good, something important.
This chain reaction of kind acts creates a net-positive for the Spalding atmosphere.
It is clear to me that every worker here cherishes that opportunity.
If you were to ask me what Project Saint Thomas is, I would tell you it is about nurturing mutual kindness and belonging.
Oliver Burdalski
Bourne Academy student
